Seberang perai: More than 34,000 WiFi access points have been installed across nearly all public higher education institutions (IPTA) nationwide as part of efforts to upgrade internet connectivity. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) has requested additional access points since some campuses did not submit applications during the first and second phases of implementation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi has asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to examine these requests, with the aim of implementing them promptly. The total number of access points cannot yet be confirmed as MCMC needs to conduct a detailed study of the campuses seeking WiFi facilities. This initiative is part of the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) project, which MCMC oversees to strengthen high-speed internet coverage across IPTA campuses nationwide.
The project aligns with the MADANI Government's commitment to expanding digital access to all societal segments by providing a more stable and comprehensive network for students and staff. Fahmi, on a three-day working visit to Penang, expressed satisfaction with the internet speed at the Seberang Perai Polytechnic, which is equipped with 554 access points delivering speeds of over 300Mbps through WiFi 7 devices.
He noted that this development is positive, especially for students in hostels who previously struggled to access WiFi on higher floors. Now, nearly every room is covered, facilitating easier completion of assignments, research, and other academic tasks. Earlier, Fahmi engaged with 70 students participating in the Safe Internet Campaign, including virtual participants. The campaign empowers youth in cyber safety and digital literacy, focusing on online scams, cyberbullying, risks of oversharing personal information, and the spread of false information.
Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali.